bably, she herself is by this time in the hands of
the Spaniards, and may ere long share the fate of Dona Paula. Shall I
ever meet them again?" I murmured.

Other volleys of musketry, which sounded horrible in our ears, too
plainly told us what was continuing to take place.

By Don Jose's advice, we kept close in our room during the remainder of
the day; and it was growing dark when Domingo appeared, with a bundle
under his arm.

"I have been provided with this for you to put on, senor," he said,
producing a serving-man's dress, similar to that which I had worn at
Popayan. It was curious that the same disguise should have been chosen.
"You are suspected of being a Liberal; and whether you are so or not,
you are to be arrested to-night, and probably share the fate of those
who were shot this morning. I am desired to tell you, therefore, that
you must make your escape as soon as it is dark--you taking one
direction, while Senor Miguel and I take another."

Before I had time to ask further questions, Domingo retired.

I began to put on the dress he had brought me, and was quickly changed
into a serving-man. While I was thus engaged Mr Laffan came in, and I
told him what Domingo had said.

"But I cannot desert you, Duncan!" he exclaimed. "I will stick by you,
whatever happens."

I soon convinced him that we should thus only increase the risk of being
arrested, and advised him at once to make his way to Honda, as we had
told Murillo we intended doing. If not molested, he might thence,
instead of embarking on the Magdalena, travel over the mountains
westward to one of the towns on the Cauca. As he had no proposal to
offer against this plan--indeed, there was no other to be pursued--he
agreed to it.

"But how will you be able to travel alone?" he asked.

"I do not intend to travel alone, if I can help it," I answered. "I
believe that Antonio will succeed in liberating Uncle Richard, and that
I shall be able to help him to make good his escape."

I was unwilling to leave the house without wishing Don Jose and his
family farewell; and as I was thinking how I could best manage to do so,
I discovered a slip of paper pinned on to the front of the jacket, on
which was written in a feigned hand,--"I know your feelings, and what
you would desire to say; but it is safer that we should not again meet.
Farewell. Destroy this when you have read it."

The paper was not signed, but I guessed it came from Don Jose.